Bidong Island

"Back to Pulau Bidong make me remembered of the past where once again how lucky we are able to weather a long and tiring journey in a leaky boat sebuat over 10.5 meters that accommodate 61 people displaced by the war. Still I imagined a Malay man gloves and dark fabric that we found in the ocean gave us food and drink for the journey. They are heroes and angels in my heart. I will never forget his face in life. In my visit this time to remind me how good hospitality extended to us at the time of this island. That is a very wonderful feeling to be remembered for life on the island which houses sementaraku "- Daniel Nguyen

That is the expression of the heart of a Vietnam war refugees after re-visit the island once the home and haven for him at one time. An island that gives so much hope and expectations for their future.
Name Bidong Island not satiated other islands in Terengganu, but it is rich in heritage and historic war refugees from Vietnam when Vietnam invaded by the United States in 1975. Naturally, this historical remains and dipeliharan maintained properly. This is because, most of the former refugees returning to the island to see and relive the bittersweet memory that they ever had for occupying the island. Not least is that come here just to visit the tombs of family members, relatives and friends who breathed their last breath here.

History of Vietnam war refugees coming to this island began around the year 1975 where the first boat that landed here with 47 refugees. After from the boat after the boat arrived at the island to reach the figure 250,000 refugees over the years 1975 to 1991. The island was officially opened as a refugee camp on August 8, 1978. Basically Bidong Island can accommodate around 4,500 people displaced, but never in this island state have deposited nearly 40,000 refugees at any one time. . I personally can not imagine the mood. Why Bidong Island was also known as Saigon Mini.

Remnants such as schools, homes, churches, temples already looking increasingly frail in feeding time. After the island is covered with the official Vietnam war refugee camp on October 30, 1991, the island was left unattended and the place where the local fishermen to take shelter from waves or storms while at sea.

I set foot on the island for the first time in 2007 with the aim to take portraits of refugees remains of Vietnam. At that time, a long wooden pier still exist but unfortunately it is not used anymore and, most of the buildings also have started to fall. The surrounding area is covered with trees and shrubbery. Inside it was still there the remains of water tanks is larger to accommodate the needs of the refugees at the time. Several monuments or memorials have been erected by the refugees to remember his deeds good and Malaysians working in the island. We will also be able to see hundreds of cement plates written the names of refugees. I myself was not sure that the names of those who had died or the names of those who have lived on this island.

My last visit to this island is in the middle of 2009. When the construction of jetties to facilitate visitors to the island are underway and have now completed. State Government has decided that no development chalets or resorts on the island for tourism purposes that treasure is preserved remains of war refugees. However I feel the efforts of the authorities is necessary to oversee and develop the island to attract more tourists to come visit and see for themselves the atmosphere. Facilities such as toilets and a rest area, walking trails and a host of other better be prepared. May also be created mini museum for displaying photographs or documents memorial can provide information to visitors about the history of this island.

To reach the island, you have to take a boat from the jetty Merang where it is located about 39 kilometers from the city of Kuala Terengganu.Perkhidmatan boats for rent are available here. Boat rental prices usually offered up to RM500.00 for the return journey speed boat which can accommodate around 10 passengers. In one corner of this island Research Station is situated Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) to carry out research on marine biology and so on. To date, more Bidong Island under water world famous among scuba divers compared with historical values ​​that exist on the island.

Information:

To get a boat to Pulau Bidong services you can contact Brother Zul (Norul Boat Services) at 019-9852259
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Posted in: Island